Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-08-27
THE YANKToN ASYLUM.

THE YANKToN ASYLUM.
Gov. Church's "offensive Parti-
zan" Position.
James H. Teller, ex-secretary of-Dak-
ota, was in St. Paul. Mr.. Teller has a
wide acquaintance throughout the ter.
ritory and lisa keen observer of men
and measures. A Pioneer Press re-
met him at the Ryan and asked
him for his views on the affairs Of the
Yankton insane asylum. He said:
'Gov. Church appointed three of the
old board, two Republicans and one
Mr.. Van Tassel was the
member of the old board that
was appointed. He told me that shortly
after the board was organized Auditor
Ward came to him and desired that he
Wan Tassel) should act with the other
two Democrats and Dust the Republic
cans in the institution. Ward claimed
to be representing Gov. Church. The
was to make the patronage of
the institution Democratic. Van Tas-
sci refused to do this, and the war be.
gun. Gov. Church said lac could not
trust the board to expend the $4,000
appropriated for building the addition to
the asylum, and would not approve the
plans. Meanwhile the territory is pay
ing interest at the rate of a per cent on
the money, which is lying in the terri
torlal treasury, The ayslum is in a
crowded condition, and county author
tiles have been asked to keep patients
that we're not violent. There are twice as
many patients now as there should be for
the amount of room. In the ward where
the violent patients are confined the sit
uation is decidedly dangerous, and
other wards are as badly crowded. The
whole matter rests with Gov. Church.
He has been asked to appoint a com.
mission, but refuses. He claims that
the only thing that the trustees can do
is to resign. The idea that he cannot
trust them with the money Is mere
nonsense. If the trustees are guilty Of
ofense an investigation should be had,
1t it wa neglect in allowing Colby
so do as he did with the money. All
that is charged against him is expend'
ing the money and making a persona.
charge to himself instead of issuing
vouchers. He is no longer a membe,
Of the board. Gov. Church is doing
this for political reasons. He wants The
men to resign. This the trustees viii
not do. They claim that charges have
been made against them and they wan
them investigated while they are ii
office. Both Democrats and Republicans
at Yankton believe that il is partisan
ship on the part of the governor, The
large majority Of the Democrats do moi
support him in his actions. In re
spouse to letters from the board O
trade written about ten days ago. telling
of the crowded condition of the insane
asylum, and asking him that the work
may proceed on the ground of humanity
he replies that he coul1 not trust the
majority of the board to expend the
money. The people do not favor thu
proposition that the trustees should
resign. We offered to put up a bond o
100000 to be approved BY Judge Trip
for the faithful expenditure of the
money, yet he refuses to accept 1t
The governor has an opportunity to bt
arbitrary. He says the report of his ex
aminer will convince any one that HI
has taken the right stand. l cannot SCI
it in that light. The report does no
initiate against the trustees, especial!
as Gov. Church and his auditor followed
their action for some time, taking mon
ey out Of one appropriation and using i
for another. The governor is acting 70
purely partisan reasons. The officer
of the institution are well liked. Di
Craven, the superintendent, and hi
wife are very popular, and have a fac
ulty for getting along with the patients.
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